First Sprout!

The Alliums are always the first to emerge.  And of course it helps that this clump is only about a foot and a half from the south foundation of the house.  But I'll take it.  And on Monday I actually saw three fish swimming in the opening of the pond.  I'm amazed that any lived through this winter.

Allium is First Again

The first sprout of the spring was visible today, perhaps the earliest in some time.  Not a flower yet for sure, but a sign that some things at least have made it through this unusual winter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actually, there have been shoots of various things visible for much of the winter – the chrysanthemums, some of the sedums, some of Bill’s favorite columbines – all establish some shoots at the end of the season that stay just above the ground for the winter.  With the snowless winter we’ve had, they have been exposed to much freezing and thawing, and I hope they are all OK. 

Ducks, Hawks, and new Sprouts

The snow is receding from any thermal retentive surfaces, and the sun is stronger and stronger.  There is an almost 3 foot wide open space along the south side of the house for Kate to explore, and it expands outward in a few places under trees.  She is in heaven, but she is sharing the space with another cat, a visitor who appears to be well cared for but who has been around for several days.  We see  tracks all around the neighborhood that are clearly cat tracks, and we have seen the butterscotch tabby itself almost every evening for awhile.  It runs when we open the door, so we haven't been able to check for a collar or an ID tag.  Hope it finds its way home soon.

Today was the first day I actually found things growing outside, Though I'd not be surprised if I've missed a few things lately.  Because of my surgery, I haven't felt safe walking around out in the snow, so I haven't gotten out to the far reaches of the yard.  But near the deck today I found the first allium sprout, a couple of mushrooms, and the first growth of the hardy amaryllis. 

We've been seeing ducks in the creek, at least two males and one female, maybe more (I find it hard to recognize ducks as individuals...)  The Cardinals and Chickadees still dominate the bird feeders.  My neighbors said there was a flock of robins in one of our trees two weeks ago.  I didn't see them, so I can't count them.  Waiting for my first of the spring.  Should be any day now I think.   

Signs of Spring are Adding Up

The sun is stronger, usually melting any light snow in a few hours.  And the days are surely longer.  The light is brighter, even when it is cloudy.  The birdsong is sprightlier, the “cheer” of the Cardinals is beginning to predominate.  I swear there are buds beginning to swell on some trees.  The roads are clear by mid-morning, even without the plows coming through. 

I’ll bet, if I could get over to the place, that I’d find a few alliums beginning to poke through the soil beneath the snow.  And, because the snow has melted along a strip in the South and East sides of the house,  Kate is finding her way around the southeast corner of the house and all the way to the other end of the east side.  Her world has expanded.  We saw her gazing longingly at the creek today, though the snow is still keeping her from attempting to get there. 

My orchids are all putting forth flower stalks, and even the 20 year old hoya that has never bloomed is setting buds.  (that last could be related to my having moved it into a bright south window after years of keeping it against a wall on the other side of the room.) 

It’s time to start propagating the geranium cuttings hanging in the basement, and soon to take out the cannas and assess their winter survival.

Early June

It is interesting that no matter what the weather has been like, warm, cool, dry, wet, certain plants just always arrive at the same place at the same time.  Irises bloom in the first few days of June, maybe half a week variation.  The Bridal Wreath Spirea always comes into full bloom in June.  A little sign of blossoms opening in late May, but full glory on June 1st.  There are so many things in glorious bloom now it is hard to spotlight anything.  And I'm out in the garden so much I don't have much time to write in the blog.  But that's OK. 

 

This is the time of year when Bill's insistence on keeping the Columbine is hard to refute.  I know that in a couple of weeks I will want to remove them, and I will cut them back to the ground.  But this year they are quite lovely, and I must be sure that some survive.  The alliums are in full bloom, but once the blooms start the leaves begin to yellow, and they are so large that they detract from the surroundings.  I spent some time today cutting them back and leaving the flower stalks, which may mean that they don't do as well next year, but I can live with that. 

 

The newly expanded pond is doing very well.  The water lily has taken over almost the entire surface and the first bloom is at the surface and ready to open.  The Bufo americanus (American toads) that mated earlier and laid eggs everywhere have disappeared, but here are thousands of tadpoles swimming purposefully here and there everywhere.  Side plantings are doing well also, and I think it will be nice all year. 

Clear signs of Spring are starting to be seen

A walk around the yard today proved that spring really is coming. It wasn't easy to walk, as the snow is unpredictably hard and soft. One footstep stays on the top of the foot or so still on the yard, and the next breaks through and sinks down to the frozen ground. It was slow going and I had to be careful to keep my balance. But it is worth it to find the sprouts and see the birds.


The robins are plentiful now, I can see or hear one pretty much any time I go out. Just before we left for Phoenix I remember seeing the first and thinking it a fluke.







And many things are beginning to grow, expecially near the south side of the house. Here are pictures of some new tulips, a sprout of the new delphinium that I am very excited has survived the winter, the allium that always comes up early and the hardy amaryllis that is also always among the first.